I don't know why anyone even considers a Walther PPK in this day and age, except it sounds neat, Bond Movies, heritage.

Small, light modern firearms are so good today, that the PPK becomes the worst choice out of any choices in firearms.

For example, if someone had their heart set irreversibly on a PPK, I would do everything I could to find a place where we could rent a .380 PPK against a Sig P230. Nobody in their right mind would pick a PPK for FUNCTIONAL reasons over a Sig P230. Sentimental reasons, sure. But for a carry gun? NO way. The Sig P230 is better in every conceivable way from weight to trigger pull to manual of arms to reliability.

And the modern array of carry guns just gets better and better from there.

The smallest adequate round is 9mm. The largest that she can handle , probably is 357 mag.

The larger the weapon the better the performance.

Not true at all. This is a misconception some men make thinking women want what men want regarding a pistol.

For a ccw I wanted smaller, lighter and more comfortable. If I'm carrying it, I'd better feel confident with it, not big and manly. JMHO.

Do you want a pink gun? I would guess not but there are women who do.
That market is for women for a reason.
I do not own or want one of them. I purchased mine for protection and took it seriously. It's not a play thing or a toy, but that's just me. I know, women who own pink, purple, etc. take it just as seriously. But to me, it's just stupid and a successful marketing ploy.
I have a girl friend who has a Taurus 738TCP 380 in light pink. I make fun of her every time I see it!

2 things you should always rent before buying to see if you like them - cars and guns.

Don't start at the gun store. Go to your local shooting range and spend enough to test out a bunch of their guns over a couple of months. She should start to have some idea of what she likes, then go to the gun store and get a smaller version for carry, of what she already knows she likes.

Advice on this topic isn't worth much.

That said, here is my advice. The smaller and lighter gun you buy, the more likely your wife is to have it on a daily basis. Carrying daily is a PITA. If her gun is really small and really light, she will carry it. But these are usually pretty uncomfortable to shoot.

So get something very similar but bigger and heavier, even better if it is by the same company, for range sessions. Even so, she has to continue practicing with her carry weapon and better if it is with the same defense rounds she is going to carry.

A light .32 you have on your person is better than the .45 hand cannon you left at home because carrying is a PITA.

There are awesome guns today for carry. You can get mouse guns that hold 6-8 rounds of 9mm. IMO, one of those is the way to go. Small, light and 9mm, but it will be hard for her to shoot. That is why you practice, practice, practice.

Absolutely this except the "Advice on this topic isn't worth much" part.
Advice and encouragement will help them make smart decisions and consider options they hadn't thought of themselves.

I would recommend she go to a range the rents pistols. Let her try out five or six different models and calibers. A good handgun purchase is more about the grip, feel and fit in the hand, than brand or caliber.

Others will undoubtedly disagree, but I am a fan of a quality short barrel .357 Mag loaded with .38+P as good all around handgun (that's what Trndogrrl has).

Depending on her clothing choices, a slim single stack .380 or 9mm might be a good fit. I like the Kel-Tec P3AT and Ruger LCP in .380. There are any number of high quality 9mm sub-compacts on the market.

I started with a Ruger LCP Centerfire and was very happy with it. I decided on the S&W Bodyguard 380 because of the laser sight but also considered the Ruger LCP-CT. I just liked the grip of the Bodyguard better (feels more balanced to me too) and that's why it SOOO Important that your wife try them out for herself!!
Availability right now is also a consideration.

Alot of women have small hands and have a problem racking a slide on a gun... I recommend a good .38 special revolver without an exposed hammer

Agree with this. My wife prefers her .38, and is more accurate with it than an automatic. She over thinks loading and reloading a 9mm and doubts her ability to do so in a potentially stressful situation.

I have a Ruger LCR 38 special, holds 5, something like 13 ounces, hammerless, made of polymer. Love that gun, so light and shoots damn good.

You can't beat them

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Agree with this. My wife prefers her .38, and is more accurate with it than an automatic. She over thinks loading and reloading a 9mm and doubts her ability to do so in a potentially stressful situation.

You also have to ask yourself also with an auto
Could she clear a gun jam?

My wife is totally comfortable with her .38 special and is balls on target at 10 to 15 yards so that's what I want her to use. Women have been known to "limp wrist" a gun and prevent it from cycling properly...

Alot of women have small hands and have a problem racking a slide on a gun... I recommend a good .38 special revolver without an exposed hammer

The first thing to came to mind were various models of 9mm, but that's not a bad call either. As others have stated, take her to a shooting range where they rent guns Hoover and let her try out several models. By going that route, you will be sure what she likes in advance, rather than buying the gun and hoping it's the right fit.

__________________A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one... you'll probably never need one again.

I personally have a ruger sr9 i keep in my truck. Ive only had it about 3 months and have put limeted rounds through it. But its too much for my wife to shoot with consistency. I did shoot a little snub nose .380 revolver with a laser a few weeks ago that my old supervisor bought for his wife. At 30 yards with the laser i was shooting the eyes out of his foam deer archery target. Might pick one up for my wife to conceal and carry.